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One of his friends, we'll call him Captain, said, "Guys, I gotta tell you something. I, I'm getting married." He looked devastated.

The guys (probably in unison) asked, "How the hell did that happen?"

Captain, "Honestly, I have no idea. One moment I was telling her that I thought we should talk about maybe getting married since we've been together for awhile and three days later, she bought the ring, picked a date and booked the place."

When Donna Downey was here this past weekend, I took two of her three classes. The one I didn't take, I was able to purchase her kit to do later. After committing to myself to "play" at least one day a week whether it be a full on scrapbook page, a little 4x6 watercolor or what. It doesn't matter as long as I do something creative and enjoy it. No stress. No worry about what it looks like or what it will look like.

Today, mom came over and we played. I am really excited that my new place is so space friendly. I have more than enough room to put us in my craft room or at the dinning room table. Since I have yet to catch up on some of my weekly shows like Bachelorette and Castle, I decided we would be better at the dinning room table. Better access to tv (hulu.com). smirk

I set us up so that we were on the same side of the table. I find this easier for sharing tools and supplies. I had recently picked up Gesso, Molding and crackle paste as well as one of the cool H2O pens for watercolors.

Waiting for my mom to arrive (I was up a bit early this morning), I decided to start on the elegant garden kit. It had great colors and I wasn't sure what was all involved.

I love the kit came with color picture and instructions PLUS I went to donna's website and found in more detail how to do the fabric flower petals. She is such a great resource for learning new techniques. I really love that she is so great about taking something someone else did and making it my own. She says, "there is no such thing as a unique idea." I have been watching her back episodes of "inspiration Wednesday." It is very cool to watch her create something so original and fresh in just 10 minutes. I feel inspired and ready to play too.

I am struggling a little bit with the watercolors/pen. There is always a residual dark spot where I initially lay down the paint and then using water spread it around. I can't seem to figure out how to get rid of that. It doesn't end up blending in so well.

I hadn't planned on using a photo of myself in this, but since my grove lately seems to be around centering myself and getting back to what makes me; it just worked. I am very happy with the results. While I was waiting for mom to finish up so we could grab some lunch, I realized that I wanted to hang it on the wall. I was thinking ribbon of some sort, but it ended up on a wire hanger with some of the tags out of a different kit.

I'd really like to get some wire things so I can mold the wire hanger into either a heart or some other cool design, rather than just the hook and I am thinking about cutting and curly-q-ing the sides of the hanger. I think molding the wire hanger will also help that it hangs a bit crooked because of more weigh on one side. Not sure, but for now I like it.

What?Schmutzie created Grace in Small Things as a daily reminder to take notice of the positive things we tend to overlook.

Why?Grace in Small Things exists because we are choosing not to allow the noisiness of life to rob us of the time and energy to be mindful of ourselves and those we love and to recognize the grace that exists in small things.

Who?Grace in Small Things is for YOU, because you deserve it.

When?Grace in Small Things is a challenge for every day, because there's no time like the present, tomorrow never comes, and some other cliche about seizing the day. Oh, right: carpe diem.

My simple graces for the week -

1. I have a long list of positive affirmations that when I am down, pick me up. I have had a rough week (a week back) and I have gone back to writing great quotes and sticking them to my bathroom mirror.

2. I love my long showers I take each week. For one night each week, I take the time to lavish in suds and hot water. I stand under the shower and just relax every muscle one by one. It's me time with no intruding thoughts or feelings.

3. I love McDonald's little vanilla cones. When I was little, we would roll through the drive-thru and grab a quick and inexpensive treat. On a hot day, it is the perfect cooler.

4. I have found my inner girl that LOVES skirts. I have always been a tomboy kinda girl who lives in jeans and tanks, but recently I have realized that skirts and dresses are just as comfortable. Especially that I get to wear them with flip flops.

5. I can go all day, at work or on a day off, without wearing any make-up. So many women out there cannot leave their house without it, but me, I can. I like this about me.

Saint and I decide to splurge a bit and go to dinner at a sit down, nicer steak restaurant.

We walk in, it's practically deserted. It's peaceful. Just the two of us over in the abyss of a nice, almost romantic place. We are talking and enjoying each other's company. When all of a sudden, this guy is seated next to us. He turns around to face us and says, "Sorry to interrupt, but can I ask you guys a question? Does it smell like rancid meat in here to you?"

----

(WTH?!?)

after what seems like an eternity, he continues, "My wife and I were just wondering if it was us. As we walked in, we swear we smelled rancid meat."

I look at Saint and he looks at me. We blink. What do you say to that?

I mean, we are sitting in a meat restaurant. Just ordered and he brings up RANCID MEAT.

WHO DOES THAT?

I seriously wanted to smack this guy. It tainted my dinner just a bit. Because I kept thinking about the rancid meat comment.

I wanted to say as we were leaving, "Enjoy your rancid meat." (add an expletive in there)

Honestly I am not sure how long I have been following donna downey, but it has been at least three years. I know I have been waiting and conspiring how I could attend INSPIRED for that long. This year, I was ready to purchase tickets, but then saw donna would be coming to my state and I dropped everything and called my mom. I screamed in the phone so excited. And INSPIRED kinda got forgotten. (next year)

If I could say a few things about meeting donna, she is SO down to earth and very funny. You know how you meet people for the first time, but it feels like you've known them forever? That's how she is. Just like family. She cracks jokes, she made fun, she was inspiring and just wonderful to learn from.

It was like a couple of days regressing back to kindergarten. I had paint flying. My hands were dyed different colors. We played with all kinds of different mediums from watercolor to gees and acrylics. I learned so many incredible tips and came away with infinite possibilities. I love classes like these. They are few and far between, but I always END UP CENTERED and ready to go back to real life. Anything that has been plaguing me seems minute. And I have the coolest projects to continue working on.

Thanks DONNA!!!

Here are videos of her explaining techniques:(i don't know why the videos are sideways)

If I missed your donna downey link, just leave me a comment and I'll add you.

Prologue-

VERY VERY EXCITED!! I have been following Donna Downey for at least six years by email and her blog. I have tried to take classes with her, but alas the scrapbook conventions and events I have been too, she hasn't been able to make. NOW FINALLY, she has come close enough to me for a class - or two.

Dear Heidi,

Summertime and the living's easy... Isn't summer time the best time of the year? The kid's are out of school. It's warm and breezy outside. The BBQ and pool are calling your name. But the best part is that lifetime memories are being made!

Join me this summer at one of the stores I'll be teaching at and make those gorgeous summer memories last forever. I'll be traveling from north to south and coast to coast to bring you some of my favorite workshops ever. Be sure to carve some inside time out and join me. I'd love to see you!

Paper Vineyard

May 28th - 29th

Don't you think that Memorial Day weekend is really the start of summer? And what better way to start the summer than with a weekend full of scrapping fun? The first stop on my summer adventure will be Paper Vineyard in Chandler, Arizona. Come join me for 2 art filled days filled with technique as we create three different projects - Fabric Scrapbooking, Simply IrRESISTible, and Elegant Garden. The classes are almost full, so be sure to reserve your spot today. Contact the store at 480-656-2058 or visit their website for more information.

Are you creative?Do you love to invent recipes, scrapbook,
photography, gardening, etc?Do you love to just TRY and be inspired?You don't have to BE Marthaall you need isthe feeling to cultivateand shareJOIN USevery Monday right hereforMartha Monday

Not sure if you saw Martha Stewart show this week on Wednesday, but the recipe that she made with eggs and peppers - Mmm, good. This time I was able to find the recipe online and include it in the post.

ACK!! Martha, breakfast is MY FAVORITE MEAL OF THE DAY TOO!(Did you know, Martha Stewart has TMJ?) Though realistically, I feel this is a brunch meal.

I used to take Everyday Foods, but sadly they were piling up so high, I had to cancel. I should research if they have one recipe book. It was very fun to watch how the creators of Everyday Foods prepare the editions. And because of this particular episode, I know will have to invent my own Enchiladas. How cool is it that they dip the tortillas IN the sauce before rolling them with filling?

My version though is add spinach to the pan first, then add the red peppers, then eggs. As well as adding shredded cheese on top and a slice of toast. It makes it healthier and another good tasting ingredient.Though the unhealthy version is to add about three strips of bacon.

Bell Pepper Egg-In-A-Hole

Fresh, sweet bell peppers are a nice (and lighter than fried bread) foil for the richness of the sunny yellow yolks. Serve them on multigrain toast.

Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 10 minutes

Ingredients

Serves 4

2 teaspoons olive oil

1 bell pepper (any color), cut into four 1/2-inch-thick rings

4 large eggs

Coarse salt and ground pepper

2 teaspoons grated Parmesan

4 slices multigrain bread, toasted

8 cups mixed salad greens

Directions

In a large cast-iron or nonstick skillet, heat 1 teaspoon oil over medium-high. Add bell pepper, then crack 1 egg into the middle of each pepper ring. Season with salt and pepper and cook until egg whites are mostly set but yolks are still runny, 2 to 3 minutes. Gently flip and cook 1 minute more for over easy. Sprinkle with Parmesan and place each egg on a slice of toast. Toss salad greens with 1 teaspoon oil and season with salt and pepper; serve alongside eggs.